* Medarex Inc., Annandale, N.J., said the Frenchregulatory office, Agence du Medicament, has grantedapproval for a Phase I/II study of the company's MDX-240, for treatment of AIDS. The drug is designed todestroy HIV-infected cells by triggering the killingfunction of immune cells.

* Xenova Group plc, of Slough, England, andPharmaGenics Inc., of Allendale, N.J., have entered into acollaboration to develop drugs aimed at restoring thenormal function of the p53 tumor suppresser gene.Mutation of the p53 gene is found in about half of allcancers.

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